title: The endocrine disruptive effects of ergopeptine alkaloids on pregnant mares.
abstract: During equine gestation, ergopeptine alkaloid exposure is not uncommon, and pregnant mares are particularly sensitive to the endocrine disruptive effects of these compounds on lactogenesis and steroidogenesis. Agalactia, prolonged gestation, abortion, dystocia, and placental and fetal abnormalities are all clinical manifestations of changes in the endocrine milieu induced by the ingestion of ergopeptine alkaloid-contaminated feedstuffs by mares during late gestation. An understanding of the endocrine disruptive effects of gestational exposure to ergopeptine alkaloids is necessary for the diagnosis of potential exposures to these compounds and for effective prophylaxis and therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, 1600 East Rollins Street, Columbia, MO 65211, USA. evanst@missouri.edu
authors.forename: Tim J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Evans
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000382:microbiology*; D000818:Animals; D004876:Ergot Alkaloids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004881:Ergotism / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects; D005506:Food Contamination; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006736:Horses; D006109:Poaceae / Q000382:microbiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000662:veterinary*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D004876:Ergot Alkaloids